The launch of the iPad nearly two years ago heralded
what was to be a revolutionary new device. Apple’s incredible marketing
machine combined with an Apple-loving tech-press and a fan-base avid for the
newest and hottest Apple-product made the iPad’s debut a major event. It seemed to many
that the iPad had changed the world. But has it?
While at the helm of Apple, Steve Jobs revolutionized the PC, mobile phone, and music industry, thus transforming the entire tech-space. Yet, his venture into tablet PCs has been less impressive. You may disagree, but the numbers prove it. Since the iPad's arrival, Apple has sold less than 30 million units. Globally! To provide some perspective, during the same period of time Apple sold more 3x as many iPhones, even when many customers have been holding off purchasing an iPhone in anticipation of the "iPhone 5". But don’t get me wrong, I am not saying the iPad is a terrible product. Many sales people love the device for client presentations and its ability to watch video on a portable screen is amazing, but it isn’t as revolutionary as the hype would have us believe. Rather, it is simply an OK product with an iconic brand-logo and an incredible PR/marketing effort behind it. I mean, the most popular website in the world, Facebook, has not even put the resources necessary to create an app for the iPad yet.
The truth is that no one has really figured out how to make a tablet device revolutionary yet. Neither Google nor HP has fared better. The fact that both companies’ efforts into the tablet market were a flop only further proves my point. The Android tablet for the most part has been from a hardware perspective, equal if not better than the iPad. Additionally, Google's mobile operating system is extremely user friendly – it is the most popular OS in the smartphone space. The key difference between them is that Apple has the ability to sell a product and to attract older consumers with disposable income to buy luxury multimedia toys. But if the iPad and other tablets are to become devices that are truly revolutionary and as ubiquitous as PCs or mobile phones, which they can be, they will need to change a few things.
One major flaw is that the iPad is neither ultra-portable nor does it provide an easy to use experience for key tasks. How does it fit into a person's life, with a computer, a smartphone and a TV? Shouldn't an "iPad" be a digital notepad? Well, Steve Jobs does not believe in the stylist and feels that writing is an ancient solution that will replaced by typing, but in reality for such a product and for various tasks on a flat device, a stylist would be an easier and more logical solution. For example, if you were reading a digital textbook and wanted to make a note in the margin a stylist would be perfect. Or if you did not have a flat surface to prop the iPad against, writing free style would be preferred. And typing on an iPad will never be an extremely easy experience; I am currently outside in a park where using an iPad is ideally designed to work, but my laptop is much easier to use.
Another major flaw is the size. The iPad is too big. It should be ultra-portable, not just thin and light. It should fit into a person’s suite jacket, back pocket, or small purse; only then will it have the same utility as a smartphone. Right now, my iPad is usually at home and when I am there, I often prefer to just use my laptop or TV. Apple's OS and huge selection of apps, combined with a 7” form factor (like the Blackberry Playbook) would be a winning tablet design.
There are many rumors about the forthcoming Amazon tablet and Amazon maybe one of the few companies that has the operating environment and technical skills to create a tablet equal if not better than Apple's iPad. These additional two pieces combined with a user friendly operating system, a vibrant app store, and an innovative marketing strategy will give people a reason to buy a tablet. Plus, lead to the creation of something truly revolutionary. “Think Different” Amazon!
While at the helm of Apple, Steve Jobs revolutionized the PC, mobile phone, and music industry, thus transforming the entire tech-space. Yet, his venture into tablet PCs has been less impressive. You may disagree, but the numbers prove it. Since the iPad's arrival, Apple has sold less than 30 million units. Globally! To provide some perspective, during the same period of time Apple sold more 3x as many iPhones, even when many customers have been holding off purchasing an iPhone in anticipation of the "iPhone 5". But don’t get me wrong, I am not saying the iPad is a terrible product. Many sales people love the device for client presentations and its ability to watch video on a portable screen is amazing, but it isn’t as revolutionary as the hype would have us believe. Rather, it is simply an OK product with an iconic brand-logo and an incredible PR/marketing effort behind it. I mean, the most popular website in the world, Facebook, has not even put the resources necessary to create an app for the iPad yet.
The truth is that no one has really figured out how to make a tablet device revolutionary yet. Neither Google nor HP has fared better. The fact that both companies’ efforts into the tablet market were a flop only further proves my point. The Android tablet for the most part has been from a hardware perspective, equal if not better than the iPad. Additionally, Google's mobile operating system is extremely user friendly – it is the most popular OS in the smartphone space. The key difference between them is that Apple has the ability to sell a product and to attract older consumers with disposable income to buy luxury multimedia toys. But if the iPad and other tablets are to become devices that are truly revolutionary and as ubiquitous as PCs or mobile phones, which they can be, they will need to change a few things.
One major flaw is that the iPad is neither ultra-portable nor does it provide an easy to use experience for key tasks. How does it fit into a person's life, with a computer, a smartphone and a TV? Shouldn't an "iPad" be a digital notepad? Well, Steve Jobs does not believe in the stylist and feels that writing is an ancient solution that will replaced by typing, but in reality for such a product and for various tasks on a flat device, a stylist would be an easier and more logical solution. For example, if you were reading a digital textbook and wanted to make a note in the margin a stylist would be perfect. Or if you did not have a flat surface to prop the iPad against, writing free style would be preferred. And typing on an iPad will never be an extremely easy experience; I am currently outside in a park where using an iPad is ideally designed to work, but my laptop is much easier to use.
Another major flaw is the size. The iPad is too big. It should be ultra-portable, not just thin and light. It should fit into a person’s suite jacket, back pocket, or small purse; only then will it have the same utility as a smartphone. Right now, my iPad is usually at home and when I am there, I often prefer to just use my laptop or TV. Apple's OS and huge selection of apps, combined with a 7” form factor (like the Blackberry Playbook) would be a winning tablet design.
There are many rumors about the forthcoming Amazon tablet and Amazon maybe one of the few companies that has the operating environment and technical skills to create a tablet equal if not better than Apple's iPad. These additional two pieces combined with a user friendly operating system, a vibrant app store, and an innovative marketing strategy will give people a reason to buy a tablet. Plus, lead to the creation of something truly revolutionary. “Think Different” Amazon!
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